H-E-B piloting tap-to-pay at Texas store, planning to expand payment option

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Have you tried to pay with your phone at H-E-B all to learn it doesn't take tap-to-pay? You're not alone, and the grocery chain is looking to change that.

H-E-B is piloting digital tap-to-pay systems at its Central Market store on Lovers Lane in Dallas, a spokesperson confirmed. This includes digital payments with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.

The Texas-based grocer is planning to expand tap-to-pay at more stores in the future. An expansion timeline was not shared.

"At H-E-B, we’re always exploring a broad range of technologies to enhance how customers shop and pay for products," an H-E-B statement said.

The grocer launched its own debit card in 2022 that gives customers 5% cash back on qualifying H-E-B brand products. In 2023, H-E-B and Central Market launched a credit card, which also gives cash back on some items.

How does tap-to-pay work?

Tap-to-pay is a contactless payment method where buyers can tap a card, smartphone or wearable device to a payment terminal instead of inserting or swiping a card, according to e-commerce platform Shopify.

The payment uses near-field communication technology, which uses short-range radio frequency to communicate between the payment terminal and the contactless card or device, according to Shopify.